Going to a judge to get the certificate signed does not require any ceremony. And I agree, it should be taken less seriously. Though one consideration is that the government intervention into the relationship also makes it much MORE difficult to split up, so I don't think even I would treat the choice so simply.

EDIT: Also, for the record, I approve of Clo's "wedding" plans. That is the only way I could see going along with the whole farce at all. If the parents at the reception do not have a look of shock and horror when the party and music starts, you're doing it wrong.